Mayor Harter will not seek reelection

Harter said after careful consideration, it's in the best interest of the community if someone else took control of the city.

Harter is the youngest mayor to ever be elected in La Crosse.

He attributes his age as a factor in his decision.

"That's something I need to be very cautious of, and am very cautious of," Harter said. "Most of the public officials that I have esteemed, who have done a very good job, have worked a full career in somewhere other than government, in somewhere other than an elected position, and that certainly weighed very heavily on my decision."

Harter also noted his differences in opinion with the common council.

"Over the next four years – with the council being in the position that they're in now – working with someone else in the mayor's office, I think more progress will be made and more will get done," Harter said. "It'll provide the opportunity for a fresh start."

Harter said he's proud he kept city spending in check during his term.

He said he's willing to go into the workforce, but is not ruling out a career in politics sometime in the future.